Did Kris Russell overplay his hand in free agency?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Then who gives a crap about blocks? You're the one that said he sucks because he blocks shots.

I'm saying he sucks because that's all he does.

You drew the conclusion you wanted from my post.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Yup.

Mark Giordano. 7th in blocks last season. Bad defenceman.

Roman Josi. 8th. Also bad.

Erik Karlsson. 11th. He's just THE WORST!


Andrew Ference. 729th. Only 5 blocks all season!!! Norris trophy candidate right there.

You don't actually feel like this is a legit counterpoint do you?

When all you have is shot blocking, it's not a positive thing.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by nik-

You don't actually feel like this is a legit counterpoint do you?

When all you have is shot blocking, it's not a positive thing.

Legit counterpoint? To what? That amazing original point that he sucks because he blocks shots? No, no that argument looks stupid all on its own.

[sureLoss]

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger
Still a few teams circling around Kris Russell. Also, multiple teams believed to be interested in Kris Versteeg as well.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Yup.

Mark Giordano. 7th in blocks last season. Bad defenceman.

Roman Josi. 8th. Also bad.

Erik Karlsson. 11th. He's just THE WORST!


Andrew Ference. 729th. Only 5 blocks all season!!! Norris trophy candidate right there.

I like Russell. I really do. A guy who blocks that many shots is by default working his ass off and willing to sacrifice for the team.

But he certainly doesn't belong in a list with any of those other guys. They block shots too, but not nearly as many, because they can do something with the puck when they get it. And they don't end up running around as often, desperately, umm, blocking shots as a last resort.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Legit counterpoint? To what? That amazing original point that he sucks because he blocks shots? No, no that argument looks stupid all on its own.

You haven't even provided an argument because you've completely misinterpreted the original post.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I like Russell. I really do. A guy who blocks that many shots is by default working his ass off and willing to sacrifice for the team.

But he certainly doesn't belong in a list with any of those other guys. They block shots too, but not nearly as many, because they can do something with the puck when they get it. And they don't end up running around as often, desperately, umm, blocking shots as a last resort.

Did I say he was as good as those guys? I'm making a point that Ashasx saying he's bad because he blocks shots in non-sensical.

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You haven't even provided an argument because you've completely misinterpreted the original post.

Ok? My points were pretty clear. Saying he's a bad defenseman because he blocks shots is a crappy argument. And that's exactly what you said. Nothing more. You didn't mention other parts of his game or anything else. You just said he blocks shots "all the time" and that makes him a bad defenseman.

Is that clear enough?

[MoreDrank]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Yup.

Mark Giordano. 7th in blocks last season. Bad defenceman.

Roman Josi. 8th. Also bad.

Erik Karlsson. 11th. He's just THE WORST!


Andrew Ference. 729th. Only 5 blocks all season!!! Norris trophy candidate right there.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I can't recall exactly but I believe it may have been against the Stars last season but a player entered the zone on Russell and faked a shot to which Russell slid to block while the player simply shifted and walked in all alone on the goaltender to score. It looked really bad.

I saw this happen several times last year when he was still on the Flames as well. generally, it's a trap to try an evaluate a player based on one or two really good or bad plays that stick out in your mind, but I did on more than one occasion get mesmerized by Russell frantically flailing around in the d-zone, trying to get the puck off forwards who were basically playing piggy in the middle with him.

and I'm always reading on here how the Flames have to get bigger and grittier, which is too simplistic for my taste, but how come that seldom seems to be applied to small Russell? I think this is actually one case where the dude's size is a real detriment to his ability to defend, in addition to the terrible decision making.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Legit counterpoint? To what? That amazing original point that he sucks because he blocks shots? No, no that argument looks stupid all on its own.

You decided to focus on one aspect of discussion and decide that that is the entire content of the argument against Kris Russell. It isn't. I'm not sure why you're doing that as the context people are putting shot blocking in is pretty obvious.

[Ashasx]

Do I really need to break down every single facet of Russell's game in order to say he's not very good?

brb working on 3000 word essay now.

[sa226]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Do I really need to break down every single facet of Russell's game in order to say he's not very good?

brb working on 3000 word essay now.

Is it going to be full of HERO charts and graphs? If so, I can't wait.

[Ashasx]

I think I will include a section detailing what a great guy he is and how he would take a bullet for the team and isn't afraid of anybody.

[CroFlames]

I would take Kris Russell back.

[AC]

I like Kris Russell. If he came for $3-$4M I'd take him back gladly.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by AC

I like Kris Russell. If he came for $3-$4M I'd take him back gladly.

I would too. I am not his biggest fan, but the hate he gets is beyond stupid.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by AC

I like Kris Russell. If he came for $3-$4M I'd take him back gladly.

I'm not so keen on a Hamilton/Russell pairing and am quite happy with a Nakladal/Jokipakka third pairing. We really can't be paying that guy 4m when he's likely to end up on the bottom pairing.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by sa226

Is it going to be full of HERO charts and graphs? If so, I can't wait.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was catching the irony here.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Russell is a good depth defenseman who I'd welcome back for the right price.

Some people have serious hate for him because he blocks shots. He might not always be the best at clearing the zone, but he shuts down high danger scoring areas as good as anyone in the league. There's a reason he didn't look out of place on Calgary's top pairing during the playoffs AND Dallas' top pairing for the late regular season and parts of the playoffs.

He's the type of guy you want on the ice in a close game with a minute left. Coaches know it and GM's know it. Who cares if some fans can't accept it.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was catching the irony here.

who didn't catch it?